Do you think some people just "dont have what it takes"

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I am in the process of orienting/precepting a nurse to our surgical floor. This nurse has been a nurse for 10 years, has a masters degree in nursing administration. The first day of orientation he makes the comment, he believes he will be an asset to the nurse manager on our floor because of his management experience. To make a long story short we are 5 1/2 weeks into this orientation process and I feel like I am beating my head against a wall. He continually neglects basic tasks such as noting orders, will NOT independantly review protocols I have printed for him and I believe he has no desire or ability to be a good staff nurse. His background is long term care and management, he has worked in multiple facilities and says he has worked some med-surg as an agency nurse. I have relayed my concerns to the nurse manager but because of his impeccable resume I dont think she is willing to see the problems. We are in the process of switching his preceptor but I personally dont think he has it in him. Do you agree, some people just dont have what it takes?

Islandhopper: There is a whole different set of skills nurses in nursing homes possess. I did nursing home for a while. In its own way it is fast paced and demanding. It is so much more regulated by the state with paperwork, paperwork,rules and regulations. Hospital nursing does not easily translate to working in a nursing home and vice versa.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.
I am in the process of orienting/precepting a nurse to our surgical floor. This nurse has been a nurse for 10 years, has a masters degree in nursing administration. The first day of orientation he makes the comment, he believes he will be an asset to the nurse manager on our floor because of his management experience. To make a long story short we are 5 1/2 weeks into this orientation process and I feel like I am beating my head against a wall. He continually neglects basic tasks such as noting orders, will NOT independantly review protocols I have printed for him and I believe he has no desire or ability to be a good staff nurse. His background is long term care and management, he has worked in multiple facilities and says he has worked some med-surg as an agency nurse. I have relayed my concerns to the nurse manager but because of his impeccable resume I dont think she is willing to see the problems. We are in the process of switching his preceptor but I personally dont think he has it in him. Do you agree, some people just dont have what it takes?

Maybe he needs some time to "change gears"?

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I usually call them clipboard nurses. They can't do a thing without a clipboard to help them. Unfortunately they usually look smarter then the working nurses. I have a theory: those who can, do, those who can't, get the hell out of my way! Here's the bad news: pretty soon he will be your boss.

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I've been wondering lately, if I'm becoming an "old battle ax" nurse and expecting too much from the newer RN's??? Generally when I mentor students things go well, they respond to direction and are eager to learn, however, the new hires with 1-2 years under their belt become very defensive with any guidance. I find, I still don't know everything and yet that is not their attitude. Or is it just me? I believe there is so much on the line in our profession and I want to be the best I can possibly be! Is it acceptable to "just get by"??? Should I become tolerant of mediocrity?

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Mediocrity is not acceptable. The medical field changes too quickly. Our practice needs to keep up with the changes. Even when you try you can't know everything. Ask the lawyers. They think you can and are responsible for knowing everything. Those with 1-2 years experience who become defensive are like teenagers who also know everything for a few years until they soon learn how little they do know.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

the expression, "if it happens to you, it's your fault" that you quoted in your post reflects a terrible attitude for a teacher or manager to have. few of us would want a teacher or manager with such an attitude.

while i agree with llg that, in general "if it happens to you, it's your fault" is a terrible attitude, at times it seems to be spot on. here's a guy who isn't getting it, doesn't get that he doesn't get it, and doesn't seem to believe it's important that he get it. he may have lasted 6 weeks on each of 6 different acute care floors and may still think the problem exists outside himself. after that many failures, "if it happens to you, it's your fault" might be a concept for him to look into.

ruby

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I think that all too often those individuals who have been in management, in the so called, "ivory tower," too often forget just what it's like to be out in the trenches. My suggestion would be to sit down with this individual and share your feelings as you'll have to work with him anyway. Share with him your concerns about him not following through with information you have given him and so on. Changing the preceptor is a good idea as it will give another co-worker a chance to see if what you've assessed is a pattern. If this continues and your manager won't do anything, can you then go to administration without fear of being called on the carpet.

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I agree but the RN I was working with must test good because that is the only possible way she could of passed board. She is not knowledge even in the basic nursing knowledge. She is a good paper pusher but that is all. Even in an emergency, she refuses to call the MD if it is after midnight. We have had three patients who have almost died because of her refusal to act...all have ended up in ICU courtestly of another nurse willing to act.

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